Bill Gaines: CON on SB 1221 — Don’t take next step in banning all hunting in California

Bill Gaines: CON on SB 1221 — Don’t take next step in banning all hunting in California

On its face, Senate Bill 1221 would ban the use of dogs to pursue bears or bobcats. In reality, this bill is a large step by anti-hunting activists to ban all hunting in California. It is driven by emotion-charged rhetoric, not sound science and must be rejected. | Cheri Shankar takes the PRO side in SB 1221 debate
California Department of Fish and Game research shows that bear populations have more than tripled in the past 40 years, leading to a significant increase in bear/human conflicts and highlighting the need to manage bear populations. Twice in recent years, based on the best available scientific data, the DFG recommended that the California Fish and Game Commission increase bear harvest quotas out of concern for bear population control and public safety.